Economy Leisure
and Property
HEAD OF SERVICE: CHRIS TYSON
Contact officer: Abigail Brown
CONTACT OFFICER:
Abigail Brown
[email protected]
Tel: 01235 540338
Abbey House, Abbey Close
Abingdon OX14 3JE
Our reference: AB/PA12:
Request for Expression of Interest for the for the provision of Public Art;
design and creation of a works of art at the Pavilion in the Great Western Park
development, Oxfordshire.
Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils (the councils) is inviting
competitive expressions of interest for the provision of Public Art; design and creation
Public Art works and artistic interventions within the façade of the pavilion building at
Great Western Park, Didcot.
If you are interested in providing an expression of interest please complete this
submission in full and return it as explained below.
This is a letter containing the artists brief and an application form to formally indicate
your expression of interest to work with us. Please answer all of the questions as
accurately and concisely as possible or mark those not applicable as ‘N/A’ and
provide an explanation.
The closing date for receipt of the completed Request for Expression of Interest is 12
noon on 1st November 2013.
The council encourages you to complete the submission electronically and return to
the council by email to Abigail Brown at [email protected] placing
in the subject box “RPF of Expressions of Interest for Pavilion Façade for GWP”
If completing in hardcopy format, please answer the questions in the same order as
this document, and reference each answer to the relevant question. Please send
your completed response to Abigail Brown, Arts Development Officer electronically to
[email protected]
Vale of White Horse District Council, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE
www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk
South Oxfordshire District Council, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8AX
www.southoxon.gov.uk
1. Artists Brief for the Pavilion at Great Western Park, Didcot
The Great Western Park (GWP) development is highly significant in the overall growth strategy
of the Didcot area. Its planned 3300 dwellings will increase the urban area of west Didcot
along with its new schools, community centres, shops and recreational facilities. Public art
contributions are being made by the developer to the district council. This transformational
development bridges both South Oxfordshire Vale of White Horse district councils, both of
whom have active public art policies.
Vale of White Horse District Council’s aim is: ‘to assist in creating a distinctive, high quality
and successful new place, in particular to create a unique and distinctive identity and sense
of place to reinforce residents’ respect for their environment and enhance civic pride. All the
components of the new settlement should be available to offer an opportunity for art to be
incorporated as part of the design processes.’
Vale of White Horse District Council Local Planning Guidance 2006
And Supplementary Planning Guidance 2009
South Oxfordshire District Council acknowledges that: ‘public art can play a very positive role
in new development. It can help to create a unique identity for a place and can make using
the environment a generally more pleasant experience. Public art can also contribute to the
character of an area, particularly if the art draws inspiration from local themes or
associations.’
South Oxfordshire District Council Local Plan 2011. January 2006
In 2011 Peter Anderson Studios were commissioned to research and develop a Public Art
Strategy that has been informed and inspired by local people and the ‘place story’ of
Didcot.
The Public art strategy sets out the following vision and themes for works of art integrated with
the new and emerging community;
The vision “World leading sciencescape” is the driving engine for all public art
commissions including installations, functional, practical urban furniture and wayfinding features. All resulting art should therefore reflect the need to tell the world
groundbreaking science stories in an inspiring and engaging way. When expressing
the public art vision and story, all art should also find inspiration and be influenced by
the following supporting themes:
• Countryside Complementary
• Science is in our DNA
• Quality Local
• Connections
Great Western Park Public Art Strategy, 2012
The strategy confirms the important role art has to play in being a voice for the people and
the place, in promoting a shared sense of community in which everyone has a role and in
celebrating a sense of place for all. The strategy sets out that any commissioned art for the
site will be developed to be accessible for the whole community. All artistic submissions or
expressions of interest will need to reflect the themes and intent defined by the Public Art
strategy.
Within this strategy 8 projects have been outlined throughout each 3 neighbourhood areas,
working with the following titles;
 landmark installation
 façades
 trails
 signage art
 notice boards
 bollards
 and a work of art called ‘A Portrait of GWP’ based at the Northern Neighbourhood
Community Centre.
The Pavilion Art project
This particular request for Expressions of Interests is for facades and trails around the Pavilion
building in the District Centre
This project will ensure the development’s foundations are rooted in existing place stories. In
contrast to static or surface artworks, these etched stories become a physical part of the
entire development, this doesn’t just connect GWP to Didcot and the wider area, it makes it
Didcot.
The architects and engineers will work with an artist to design artistic interventions within the
treatment of the glass work of the building (either etched or applied onto the glass/ facade
of the building) and/or treatment to the render at ground level and consider artistic solutions
within the curtilage of the building (engraved art) and the use of stainless steel within
the gateway to the Pavilion. Therefore the scope for artwork should consider one or more of
the following 4 areas;
 gates/ entrance feature
 bollards
 etched work within the glass or within the brickwork of the building
 treatment of the paths/ walkways and paving in the curtilage of the building
Materials to be considered are lazer cut stainless steel, Quartzite, concrete, lighting, etched
glass and laminate applications and the materials and colour specifications noted in A1–6 of
the Public Art Strategy.
The artist will create a series of designs to be engraved onto materials with a view of them
being placed within the development’s build.
The commission will be undertaken in consultation with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White
Horse District Council Arts Development services and in line with the Public Art Strategy for
Didcot Great Western Park.
The artistic brief will also consider representing or celebrating the archaeology of the site
(further information will be provided on appointment of our chosen artist), but also adhering
to the public art vision of representing modern materials and 'world leading science scape'
theme identified within the public art strategy."
The role of the artist
We are seeking Expressions of Interests from artists with experience of similar projects in scale
and materials. Our chosen artist will act as a lead artist and be responsible for the following
aspects during the research and design phase;
 explore possible artistic intervention in the fabric of the building and its surroundings working with the architect and developer to identify artistic enhancements to existing
features such as etched glass, interventions in the brickwork, street furniture and
gateway features
 actively involve the surrounding new community, leading on workshops and creative
engagement initiatives with the future users
 lead on communication with local residents and stakeholders such as attending
residents' meetings, and liaising with the architects and contracts to work on detailed
technical aspects of the artwork
After a period of community engagement, research and design our lead artist will be
expected to present their design proposal which should include;
 scaled and detailed drawings of the proposed designs (maquettes are optional)
 detailed budget and breakdown of all associated costs (including materials, artists
time, transport, installation and treatment and finishing).
 proposed timescale
 installation method statement
 a proposed maintenance schedule
The artist will be commissioned and contracted in two stages (one for the design and once
the design is approved a second contract will be issued for creation and installation). The
time-scale at this stage is negotiable.
Management of the project The project is jointly managed by the Vale of White Horse District Council and South
Oxfordshire District Council, who administrate the project management group comprising of
representatives from;
 the Arts Development officers departments of Vale of White Horse and South
Oxfordshire District Council s
 the Developers (Taylor Wimpey)
 the landscaping contractors (Tibbalds)
 the Joint Planning departments of Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District
Council s
The Arts development officers will be responsible for the day to day running of the project
and liaising with interested parties. Full description of the role and responsibility of the artists
will be drawn up during the negotiations for the design contract stage.
Process / Timetable
Activity
Circulate and advertise brief
Closing Date
Shortlisting
Interviews /selection
Community and research phase
Design submission
Design approvals sought
Commission making phase
Continued community engagement
Deadline / indicative timescale
25th September
1st November
7th November
20th November
December 2013 – March 2014
March 2014
March 2014
April/ May 2014
Creation of artwork
Installation
Unveiling
October 2014
Budget
The overall budget for this project is £65,000. Our chosen artist will be commissioned in two
phases. The first phase of community workshops, research and design is allocated £3000 (to
include all artists fees, travel, preparation, materials and promotion costs). The fee for the
main works is £62,000. This includes materials, fabrication, design and installation.
The selection process
This Request for Expressions of Interest is being advertised locally and nationally for interested
artists to submit application.
To be considered for this opportunity the artist must be able to provide;
 public liability and professional indemnity insurance of at least £5m
 experience of at least 4 large scale public art projects
 proven track record of working with the community and appropriate CRB checks
Our chosen artist will have
 experience of working on large scale projects within the public realm
 experience of working across a broad range of artforms and materials
 previously produced artworks of a functional nature or artwork that has an integral
relationship with the architecture
 be inspired by media and new technologies
Your Expression of interest in the project should include be submitted in section 2 of following
form.
2. Response from the artist
if you would like to express and interest in this commission please answer the following questions
Please provide your contact;
Company Name
Company Address
Contact Name
Telephone Number
Email Address
1. Please give a brief history of you and your work (maximum 500 words)
2. What appeal to you specifically about this commission (maximum 500 words)
3. Please detail your previous projects of a similar scale that you have been
involved with, and any supporting information for the 8 images supplied with
this form. Please include information to indicate your artistic quality of work,
and why this commission appeals to you. (maximum 500 words )
4. Please indicate your approach to this commission, and estimate a design and
creation process that you would follow.
5. We expect our chosen artist to have both Public Liability and Professional
Indemnity insurance. Please provide details of all insurance cover currently in
force.
Insurance
Cover (£)
Renewal Date
Public Liability Min £5,000,000
Professional Indemnity Min
£1,000,000
Other
6. Please provide details of two references from existing clients in the last three
years that are relevant to the council’s requirement.
Reference 1
Reference 2
Company Name and
address
Contact Name
Phone Number
Email address
Company website address
Date contract awarded
Date contract completed
Value of contract (£)
Brief description of
contract
If you cannot supply at
least one reference,
please briefly explain why
Financial proposal
We understand that every project is different and bespoke, but would be useful to
understand and indicative project costing.
We commission artists in 2 phases, initially design contract to include all research,
design and community involvement and a second contract once designs are
approved, for the creation, delivery and installation of the work.
Please insert your estimated project breakdown excluding VAT.
Item
£
estimat
ed
Description
Design Phase
1
Research fees
2
Community consultation – artists fees and
materials costs, if necessary
3
Design fees
4
Miscellaneous fees – attendance at
meetings, correspondence etc
5
Creation and installation phase
6
Artists fees
7
Materials/ fabrication
8
Storage and transport
9
Installation
10
Interpretation (if required) or post project
publicity
£
£
£
£
£
£
Sub Total
£
£
£
VAT
£
£
£
Total
£
£
£
Maintenance & support after guarantee expiry a period of 1 year is expected for any snagging or
support issues to be addressed before final payment
Please detail any particular conditions or circumstances that could affect the price
quoted. Please also detail the period of time that the price will be held for.
Acceptance and evaluation
Weighted selection criteria (out of a possible 100%)
Question
Criteria
Weighting
1
Artists statement
10%
3
Quality management/professional/trade
membership
5%
4
Strength of previous and similar work and
artistic quality of work
30%
5
Strength of at least 1 reference
5%
6
Approach to commission, installation plan and
maintenance schedule
20%
7
Approach to research, design and community
work
20%
8
CV
5%
Financial
Proposal
Overall Financial Proposal
20%
Total
100%
Interviews
Artists will be assessed on the following areas at interview;
Weighting (from a possible 100%)
to be assessed at interview
Quality of work
35%
Experience of similar projects
15%
Approach to work with the community
15%
Financial proposal
20%
Artistic style with ability to be in keeping with
the setting
10%
Timescale compatibility
5%
The Public art panel hope to start short listing artists on the 7th November. I hope to
keep you informed of our progress and plan to hold interviews on 20th November.
Thank you for your interest in the project.
Yours sincerely
Abigail Brown
Arts Development Officer
Appendix A
Declaration
For the provision of Provision of Public Art at Great Western Park, Didcot
I certify that the information supplied is accurate to the best of my knowledge and
belief.
I understand that South Oxfordshire District Council and/or Vale of White Horse
District Council may contact anyone to verify this information, and that false or
misleading information could result in my/our exclusion from the select tender list.
I also understand that it is a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment to give or
offer to give any gift or consideration whatsoever as an inducement or reward to any
servant or member of a public body. In addition your specific attention will be drawn
to the clause in the proposed contract empowering the Authority’s to cancel the
contract and to recover any loss from the contractor if the contractor has offered any
gift or inducement of any kind in relation to obtaining the contract.
Signed
_____________________________________
Position held
_____________________________________
For and on behalf of
_____________________________________
Date
_____________________________________
Before returning this application form, please ensure that you have: 


Answered all questions.
Enclosed all relevant documents.
Completed the above declaration.
N.B. APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED UNLESS ALL THE ABOVE HAS
BEEN PROVIDED
Appendix B
Statement relating to good standing – Grounds for obligatory exclusion (in eligibility) and
criteria for rejection of candidates in accordance with Regulation 23 of the Public Contracts
Regulations 2006 (as amended)
South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council
Provision of Public Art at Great Western Park, Didcot
We confirm that, to the best of our knowledge the Applicant is not in breach of the provisions of
Regulation 23 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (as amended) and in particular that:
Grounds for mandatory rejection (ineligibility)
The Applicant (or its directors or any other person who has powers of representation, decision or
control of the named organisation) has not been convicted of any of the following offences:
(a) Conspiracy within the meaning of section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 where that
conspiracy relates to participation in a criminal organisation as defined in Article 2(1) of
Council Joint Action 98/733/JHA (as amended);
(b) Corruption within the meaning of section 1 of the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act
1889 or section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 (as amended);
(c) The offence of bribery;
(d) Fraud, where the offence relates to fraud affecting the financial interests of the European
Communities as defined by Article 1 of the Convention relating to the protection of the
financial interests of the European Union, within the meaning of:
(i)
The offence of cheating the Revenue;
(ii)
The offence of conspiracy to defraud
(iii)
Fraud or theft within the meaning of the Theft Act 1968 and the Theft Act 1978;
(iv)
Fraudulent trading within the meaning of section 458 of the Companies Act 1985;
(v)
Defrauding the Customs within the meaning of the Customs and Excise
Management Act 1979 and the Value Added Tax Act 1994;
(vi)
An offence in connection with taxation in the European Community within the
meaning of section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993; or
(vii)
Destroying, defacing or concealing of documents or procuring the extension of a
valuable security within the meaning of section 20 of the Theft Act 1968;
(e) Money laundering within the meaning of the Money Laundering Regulations 2003; or
(f) Any other offence within the meaning of Article 45(1) of the Public Sector Directive.;
Organisations Name
Signed
Position
Date
Discretionary grounds for rejection
The Applicant (or its directors or any other person who has powers of representation, decision or
control of the named organisation) confirms that it:
(a)
being an individual is not bankrupt or has not had a receiving order or administration order
or bankruptcy restrictions order made against him or has not made any composition or
arrangement with or for the benefit of his creditors or has not made any conveyance or
assignment for the benefit of his creditors or does not appear unable to pay or to have no
reasonable prospect of being able to pay, a debt within the meaning of section 268 of the
Insolvency Act 1986, or article 242 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or in
Scotland has not granted a trust deed for creditors or become otherwise apparently
insolvent, or is not the subject of a petition presented for sequestration of his estate, or is
not the subject of any similar procedure under the law of any other state;
(b)
being a partnership constituted under Scots law has not granted a trust deed or become
otherwise apparently insolvent, or is not the subject of a petition presented for
sequestration of its estate;
(c)
being a company or any other entity within the meaning of section 255 of the Enterprise
Act 2002 has not passed a resolution or is not the subject of an order by the court for the
company’s winding up otherwise than for the purpose of bona fide reconstruction or
amalgamation, nor had a receiver, manager or administrator on behalf of a creditor
appointed in respect of the company’s business or any part thereof or is not the subject of
similar procedures under the law of any other state;
(d)
has not been convicted of a criminal offence relating to the conduct of his business or
profession;
(e)
has not committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of his business or profession;
(f)
has fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions under the
law of any part of the United Kingdom or of the relevant State in which the organisation is
established;
(g)
has fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of taxes under the law of any part of the
United Kingdom or of the relevant State I which the economic operator is established;
(h)
is not guilty of serious misrepresentation in providing any information required of him
under this regulation;
(i)
in relation to procedures for the award of a public services contract, is licensed in the
relevant State in which he is now established or is a member of an organisation in that
relevant State when the law of that relevant State prohibits the provision of the services to
be provided under the contract by a person who is not so licensed or who is not such a
member.
Organisations Name
Signed
Position
Date
Appendix C
Freedom of Information Act
As you know, from January 2005, the Council is required to comply with the
provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “Act”). This means that all
information held by the Council has the potential to be disclosed to a member of the
public requesting it. In order to limit disclosure it is necessary to categorise
information as exempt information under Part II of the Act.
Typical exemptions which might apply are as follows:(1)
Information that constitutes a trade secret.
(2)
Information the disclosure of which would, or would be likely to prejudice the
commercial interests of any person, including the Council.
(3)
Commercial information, which can be kept confidential for an agreed period
following which, you acknowledge it will be released if a request for it is
received under the Act. The Act defines commercial information as a trade
secret, or information, the disclosure of which would prejudice the commercial
interests of either party.
Therefore in submitting your tender, quote or proposal to the Council, you are asked
to clearly identify which of the information you have provided you desire to be kept
confidential as exempt information. Please also specify the period of confidentiality,
which you reasonably consider should be applicable to that information. The Council
may or may not be able to comply with this request.
You should also be aware, that any information you consider to be commercially
confidential, may at a later date cease to constitute exempt information, or it may
subsequently prove to be in the public interest to disclose such information. Also,
please note that any decision on non-disclosure of information could later be
overridden by the Council’s obligations to disclose under the Act
Please list any information you wish to be kept as confidential.
Appendix D
Transparency Certificate
The parties acknowledge that, except for any information which is exempt from disclosure in
accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (“The Act”) the text of this
Agreement, and any Schedules to this Agreement, is not Confidential Information. The Council
shall be responsible for determining in its absolute discretion whether any part of the Agreement
or its Schedules is exempt from disclosure in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, the Contractor hereby gives its consent for the
Council to publish this Agreement and its Schedules in its entirety, including from time to time
agreed changes to the Agreement, to the general public in whatever form the Council decides.
Applicant’s signature
Print name(s) in full
Dated this
Name and address of company
Day of
20